Afflict From   To Suffering B Distress  Is Pain

af·flict
 \\ə-ˈflikt\\ transitive verb1. obsolete
  a. 

humble

  b. 

overthrow

2.
  a. to distress so severely as to cause persistent suffering or anguish
      afflicted with arthritis
  b. 

trouble

, 

injure

Synonyms.
  , , , ,  mean to inflict on a person something that is hard to bear.  is a general term and applies to the causing of pain or suffering or of acute annoyance, embarrassment, or any distress
      ills that afflict the elderly
   suggests imposing something that strains the powers of endurance or of self-control
      children often try their parents' patience
   suggests persecution or the repeated inflicting of suffering or annoyance
      a horse tormented by flies
   adds the implication of causing unbearable pain or suffering
      tortured by a sense of guilt
   stresses straining or wrenching
      a body racked by pain

af·flict
\əˈflikt\ transitive verb
(-ed/-ing/-s)
Etymology: Middle English afflicten, from Latin afflictus, past participle of affligere to cast down, deject, from ad- + fligere to strike — more at 
1. obsolete 
 a. : 
  < that we might afflict ourselves before our God — Ezra 8:21 (Authorized Version) >
 b. : to strike down : 
  < in hope to find better abode, and my afflicted powers to settle here on earth — John Milton >
2. 
 a. : to distress severely so as to cause continued suffering
  < cutting off the food supply and afflicting the people with dearth — J.G.Frazer >
  < strife between the Emperors and Popes which afflicted the Middle Ages — Herbert Agar >
 b. : 
  < the mummers themselves were not afflicted with any such feeling for their art — Thomas Hardy >
  : , 
  < that debasement of the verbal currency which afflicts terms used in advertising — Times Literary Supplement >
Synonyms: 
 , , , , :  is a general term that is applicable to most situations involving distress or difficulty. It is often interchangeable with the following words although it lacks their more specific suggestions and stresses the fact of affliction rather than the manner.  is the strongest word in the group in suggesting most extreme infliction of pain, suffering, anguish, strain
  < until his eye be tortured out with fire — P.B.Shelley >
  < and laid the strips and jagged ends of flesh even once more, and slacked the sinew's knot of every tortured limb — Robert Browning >
  Although the two may be interchangeable,  may have a less extreme suggestion than  and may imply greater continuity or customary practice
  < it was inevitable that the older boys should become mischievous louts; they bullied and tormented and corrupted the younger boys — H.G.Wells >
  < other epochs had been tormented by the misery of the existence and the terror of the unknown — Humanist >
   is likely to suggest a straining or wrenching with stress, duress, disease, pain, or emotion
  < Thucydides' world was a place racked and ruined and disintegrated by war — Edith Hamilton >
  < a lean and nameless phantom racked by a consumptive cough — American Scholar >
  Although  orig. suggested the torment of being broiled, it has weakened and is likely to suggest less pain than the preceding words; it is usually used in situations involving stringent cross-examination or, in the present participle, in situations involving much vexation and agitation
  < representatives of Intelligence … they gave his lordship a respectful but thorough grilling — Upton Sinclair >
  < a grilling afternoon trying to work despite confusions and interruptions >
   implies that which tests one's endurance, stamina, control
  < other men were tried by puny ailments, were not searched and shaken by one tremendous shock — George Meredith >
  < it tried her that he gave her no encouragement — Willa Cather >